Team

We hope you will meet some, if not all, of the team during your stay at Bushwillow. Some of us get on quietly in the background, some of us are seen daily. We are all working as hard as each other, trying our best to meet all guest requirements. Mistakes do happen, but never intentionally. We welcome you with open arms!

Meet the Team

Dylan Panos

Owner

Dylan started off in Ecotourism in 1992 and has guided at many lodges throughout South Africa. He started a Field Guide Training Company, and continues with this business as well.

Christa Panos

Owner

Christa Panos is married to Dylan and together they have a family with 3 kids. Her passion is cooking, birding, and anything to do with nature. An outdoor lady!

Jabu Nxongo

Head Cook

Jabu has been with us from the start, she started off in 2001 as a cleaner for the builders and is now our Head Cook! Jabu has no formal culinary training, but has learned on the job and now has a passion for cooking. Always smiling and always willing to learn new recipes from all over the world.

Thandasile Mathonsi

Housekeeper

Thandasile joined us recently (2014) when we realised that we needed more help: and what a help she has proven to be! Thandasile is not seen much by guests since she gets on discreetly with her work, she is the cog behind the wheel, making sure that the rooms are kept clean and that guests come back to everything looking ship shape.

Fortunate Khumalo

Housekeeper

Fortunate has been with us since October 2015. Her main responsibility is housekeeping but she will also waitress for our lodge guests and help in the kitchen. Fortunate gets on with her duties with a happy smile and is keen and willing. We wish her well as she becomes more involved with the team.

Zonke Zikhali

Housekeeper

Zonke (full name Ntombizonke) has been with us since August 2016. She has previous experience housekeeping and we are pleased to have her as part of our team. She will also assist in waitressing for our lodge guests. She is Sister to Nonhlanhla (Victoria), and she sure has a hard act to follow, though we are sure she will live up to the challenge.

Jabu Khumalo

Laundry Officer

Jabu Number 2, as she is known, is in charge of laundry. This is quite a challenge, keeping bedsheets white and crisp and towels soft and fluffy. Ironing in the Zululand heat is quite demanding and we thank Jabu for all that she does to keep the linen flowing. She also helps with the housekeeping, during the busy times.

Khangazile Gumede

Housekeeper & Laundry Officer (part-time)

Khangazile works part-time during those "crunch" periods when Bushwillow is really busy and we are battling to cope. She also looks after Julian and Liz, and has done so for the past 5 years. She has a quiet demeanour and enjoys her days at Bushwillow, so please help keep us busy so that Khangazile can come to work!